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Sunshine, snorkelling, sparkling water and epic scenery

Fall under the spell of Western Australia on a seven-day adventure along its glittering coast. From sun-scorched earth to inviting blue waters, discover the state’s diversity as you travel from Exmouth to Perth (Boorloo in the language of the local Whadjuk Nyoongar people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Perth is now located) with a passionate local leader. See beneath the surface of Ningaloo Reef in a glass-bottom boat, watch dolphins being fed in Monkey Mia, explore the rugged landscapes of Kalbarri National Park and marvel at The Pinnacles at Nambung National Park. With rich First Nations history, National Trust-listed towns and mind-blowing scenery, you’ll soon see that Australia’s west coast is like nowhere else on earth.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Exmouth, Australia
Finish
Perth, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
PVKF
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Watch Parks and Wildlife rangers feed the resident dolphins at Monkey Mia and learn about these animals and other marine creatures which call these pristine waters home.

  • Snorkel the turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef, where you’ll have views of the rich and diverse marine life and colourful coral underneath.

  • Join an evening First Nations experience where you will learn about Gutharraguda (Shark Bay) from the Nhanda and Malgana people. Try your hand at playing the didgeridoo or traditional conch shell and taste some bush tucker prepared by your hosts over the open fire.

  • Jump on a boat at the Kalbarri Marina and set sail for the open ocean where you’ll learn about the local rock lobster industry and help pull up some lobster pots and re-bait them, ready to catch more delicious rock lobster.

  • Visit The Pinnacles at Nambung National Park where natural limestone pillars tower above the sand to create an otherworldly landscape.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip is also available in a northbound direction from Perth to Exmouth. Please check out 'West Coast & Ningaloo Reef Adventure (Northbound)' - trip code PVKE - for more details and departure dates.

  • This trip requires a moderate to good level of fitness as it involves some walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

  • When travelling in Western Australia, temperatures can be very hot during the day and drop quite dramatically at night. Have a think about what time of year suits you best to travel and pack accordingly.

Turtle swims over coral on the Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
The shore of scenic Pink Lake Hutt Lagoon at Port Gregory, Western Australia.
Sunrise at Kalbarri Skywalk Western Australia
The Pinnacles of Nambung National Park, Western Australia
Outback blowholes, Quobba Station, Western Australia
Nature's Window, Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia

Itinerary
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Welcome to Western Australia! Your adventure begins in Exmouth, a seaside town boasting white sand beaches and turquoise waters. A meeting will take place around 3pm where you’ll meet up with your local leader and fellow travellers before heading off to Cape Range National Park where your leader will take you to the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse from where you can take in views of the famous Ningaloo Reef. Enjoy an evening at leisure in Exmouth.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cape Range National Park - Guided Hike & Milyering Visitor Centre
  • Exmouth - Vlamingh Head Lighthouse
Optional Activities
  • Cape Range National Park - Snorkel with the Whalesharks (seasonal only) - AUD450
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Today's first meeting and pick up will take place at our hotel in Exmouth at 3pm. It’s very important that you are on time today as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time, and then head out to Cape Range National Park right away. We recommend you arrive a day or two earlier as there is plenty to discover in and around Exmouth, especially if you are interested in snorkelling with whale sharks, which is a full day activity. Swimming with whale sharks is not included on this trip and is an optional activity that you need to book online yourself. It is very important that you pre book any Whale Shark experiences, as this can sell out far in advance. Please also note that whale sharks visit the region between mid-March and mid-September only, so please make sure you schedule your trip accordingly if you would like to include this experience in your trip.

Get ready for an experience you won’t soon forget, first driving to picturesque Coral Bay, home to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. Join your group for a glass-bottom boat tour where you can see up to 250 species of coral and more than 500 species of colourful fish. Take to the waters with a snorkel. This afternoon, check out the Carnarvon Cactus Farm, have the opportunity to check out some of the delicious produce along the Gascoyne Food Trail and snap a photo at the Carnarvon Space and Technology Centre which was created to support NASA's Gemini, Apollo and Skylab programs. Stop at the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre and learn about the region’s culture and country from its First Nations custodians.
Accommodation
  • Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ningaloo Reef - Glass Bottom Boat Cruise & Snorkelling Experience
  • Carnarvon - Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 6 hours.

This morning, visit the Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve and see marine stromatolites, or ‘living fossils’, which are widely regarded as the best of their kind in the world. Then enjoy a stop at beautiful Shell Beach, one of only two beaches in the world composed entirely of shells. Continue towards Denham where you can stroll along the Eagle Bluff boardwalk and enjoy the view from the lookout. This afternoon is yours to relax on the pristine shores of Monkey Mia until later on when you'll join an evening First Nations experience where you will learn about Gutharraguda (Shark Bay) from the Nhanda and Malgana people. Try your hand at playing the didgeridoo or traditional conch shell and taste some bush tucker prepared by your hosts over the open fire. Tonight you’ll stay at a beachfront resort overlooking Shark Bay.
Accommodation
  • Cabin (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Monkey Mia - Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour
  • Shark Bay - Eagle Bluff Boardwalk
  • Shark Bay - Shell Beach
  • Shark Bay - Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 5.5 hours. Please note that the evening First Nations experience may not be available on all departures of this trip. If it is unavailable it will be replaced with a sunset cruise in Shark Bay.

After breakfast, watch Parks and Wildlife rangers feed the resident bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia and learn about these animals and other local marine life – this is a memory that is sure to stick with you long after your adventure is over! Then it’s time to hit the road once more and drive on to Kalbarri National Park, where you can appreciate the park’s diverse scenery including Nature’s Window, Z-Bend Gorge and the amazing Kalbarri Skywalk. You’ll spend tonight at a well-located resort within the park.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Monkey Mia - Dolphin Experience
  • Kalbarri National Park - Z Bend, Nature's Window & Kalbarri Skywalk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.

For more information about the Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience and Intrepid's Animal Welfare Guidelines, please see the Responsible Travel section of the Essential Trip Information.

Jump on a boat at the Kalbarri Marina this morning and set sail for the open ocean where you’ll learn about the local rock lobster industry and help pull up some lobster pots and re-bait them, ready to catch more delicious rock lobster before you return to the marina. The rest of the day in Kalbarri is yours to enjoy your way. Opt for a relaxing day at the beach or sign up for one of the many optional activities that are available in Kalbarri such as scenic flights, quad bike tours, canoe hire, or abseiling the Z-Bend at the national park.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kalbarri - Rock Lobster boat tour
Optional Activities
  • Kalbarri - Canoe, Kayak or SUP Hire - from - AUD20
  • Kalbarri - Chinamans Beach - Free
  • Kalbarri - Local Hikes - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Kick off the day with a visit to the photogenic Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon before carrying on to historical Northampton. Join your leader for a walk around Northampton, one of the oldest towns in Western Australia, and admire dozens of historically significant buildings dating back to the 1800s. You’ll also visit a First Nations art gallery to see some beautiful pieces being made, and if you are lucky have the chance to meet the artists. Travel to Geraldton in the afternoon. Join your leader for a walk around town to learn about the region’s maritime history, see St Francis Xavier Cathedral, and perhaps spot some seals as you stroll along the waterfront at sunset.
Accommodation
  • Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Coral Coast - Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake)
  • Northampton - Ku’arlu Mangga (Good Nest) Gallery visit
  • Geraldton - Leader-led town walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 3 hours.

This morning’s scenic journey along the Indian Ocean Drive will take you through Cervantes and to the Leaning Trees of Greenough. Along the way, you’ll also stop at the largest dunes in Western Australia and The Pinnacles at Nambung National Park where natural limestone pillars tower above the sand to create an otherworldly landscape. Arrive into Perth (Boorloo in the language of the local Whadjuk Nyoongar people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Perth is now located), the capital of Western Australia at which point your adventure will come to an end.
Included Activities
  • Indian Ocean Drive - Leaning Trees of Greenough
  • Coral Coast - Lancelin Sand Dunes
  • Nambung National Park - The Pinnacles Desert
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 5 hours. Your trip comes to an end upon arrival in Perth in the late afternoon. Please consider this when booking onward travel. We are happy to organise additional accommodation in Perth for you, subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent.
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Meals

6 breakfasts

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Motel (2 nights), Resort (2 nights), Cabin (1 night), Lodge (1 night)

Included activities

  • Cape Range National Park - Guided Hike & Milyering Visitor Centre
  • Exmouth - Vlamingh Head Lighthouse
  • Ningaloo Reef - Glass Bottom Boat Cruise & Snorkelling Experience
  • Carnarvon - Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre
  • Monkey Mia - Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour
  • Shark Bay - Eagle Bluff Boardwalk
  • Shark Bay - Shell Beach
  • Shark Bay - Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve
  • Monkey Mia - Dolphin Experience
  • Kalbarri National Park - Z Bend, Nature's Window & Kalbarri Skywalk
  • Kalbarri - Rock Lobster boat tour
  • Coral Coast - Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake)
  • Northampton - Ku’arlu Mangga (Good Nest) Gallery visit
  • Geraldton - Leader-led town walk
  • Indian Ocean Drive - Leaning Trees of Greenough
  • Coral Coast - Lancelin Sand Dunes
  • Nambung National Park - The Pinnacles Desert

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our West Coast & Ningaloo Reef Adventure (Southbound) trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Please note that due to the small properties we use there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

START & END TIME
This trip begins at 3pm in Exmouth on day 1 and ends upon arrival in Perth in the late afternoon/early evening on the last day (day 7).

SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS
We recommend you arrive a day or two earlier as there is plenty to discover in and around Exmouth, especially if you are interested in snorkelling with whale sharks. Swimming with whale sharks is not included on this trip and is an optional activity that you need to book online yourself. It is very important that you pre book any Whale Shark experiences, as this can sell out far in advance. Please also note that whale sharks visit the region between mid-March and mid-September only, so please make sure you schedule your trip accordingly if you would like to include this experience in your trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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